TOKYO, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Convenience store sales in Japan decreased 2.5 percent in July compared to a year earlier, declining for the second straight month, a Japanese industry body said Tuesday.
According to the Japan Franchise Association, the sales have largely been affected by low temperatures and rainy weather across the country.
Same-store sales of seven major convenience store operators amounted to 917.06 billion yen (8.62 billion U.S. dollars), the association said.
Solid demand for frozen meals and other prepared foods was not enough to cover the slump in sales of summer items including ice cream and beverages.
The number of customers dropped for the fifth consecutive month, down 4.7 percent, although average spending per customer rose.
The association said customers tend to spend more per shopping visit due to rainy weather.